Chaos. 

As I was pondering with the Lord about what to write next for this week, the word ‘chaos’ dropped in my Spirit. What am I to make of this word? 

I realized that ‘chaos’ is what I am sensing in the spirit realm. We have witnessed calamities and disruptions since the beginning of 2020. As our nation draws nearer to the election, tension has increased and there is an uneasiness in the air. The adage, “You could cut the tension with a knife,” seems to describe the spiritual atmosphere in these tumultuous times accurately. The reality is, Satan’s domain and influence is being threatened, and therefore, turmoil is taking its toll as war is raging in the heavenlies. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12). What is taking place up there has its effects on us below. 

You may have well felt these effects of chaos in your personal life. Your world as you knew it was stripped and altered rapidly when COVID-19 stay-at-home-orders were in place. Learning how to operate at a new level, including virtual connections and less face-to-face interactions, can cause depression as loneliness crept in. It seemed that once a person figured out a routine, something would change it. The unmet desire for normalcy and consistency can very well lead to persistent angst and unrest. 

As you look back on this year, I am positive you can describe other feelings and shifts in your calendar that has its root in the word ‘chaos.’ However, I do not want to remain there, nor does the Lord. The reason the Holy Spirit revealed this word is to bring understanding to what we are to do with the chaos that surrounds us. Let’s look further into this word. 

Chaos – a state of complete disorder or confusion.[i]

Before God created the world, the earth was ‘formless and empty’ (NIV) or ‘void’ (NASB) – Genesis 1:1-2. In essence, chaos remained because there was no plan established. God had not yet brought order to the universe. It was not until God created the heavens and the earth that creation had the structure set in place. Chaos diminished when He brought something out of nothing. 

When sin entered the world, chaos ensued once again. Scarred by sin, humanity must suffer the repercussions of sin (and all creation), death and destruction. In this time, brother killed brother (Genesis 4:1-16), wickedness and evil were rampant (Genesis 6:5), and the earth was corrupt and filled with violence (Genesis 6:11). Throughout the Bible, from the flood to the Book of Revelation, sin attempts to control, battles ensue, and evil tries to destroy what God has created to be good. 

Thankfully, we have the victory in the security of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! He not only dealt a final blow to Satan’s rule over humanity with sin but restored each of us to the plans and purposes of God. As people of God, we are not meant to victims of sin and its chaotic effects but brought into a correct order of godliness and righteousness. He has us in His hand as we look back at creation – the whole world is in His hands!

Look at the supremacy of Christ in Colossians 1:15-17:

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” 

Why do these verses give us hope amid the chaos? 

• GOD IS IN CONTROL. 

See how many times the words ‘all things’ are mentioned about Christ’s power? ‘He created ‘all things,’ ‘all things’ created through him and for him, ‘all things’ are before Him, and ‘all things’ are held together. There is ‘nothing’ that can escape His plan, even in these chaotic times! There is no need to fear because while it may seem like the world is ‘out of control’… is it really? No, because we do not know the plans of God but we trust that He knows what He is doing.

• GOD CAN USE ANY CIRCUMSTANCE FOR HIS GLORY. 

The Lord is over Satan, and His influence… even allowing them to exist in this time! While we cannot fully understand why, we can trust the who – that if God is permitting chaos to ensue, He will bring order out of it. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28). There’s the word ‘all things’ again! God will bring about His purposes at this time. It might be a time of refining – for Christ-followers to rid themselves of the world’s influence. It might be a time of intimacy – deepening a relationship with Christ through intercession for God’s people and the nation. It might be a time of strengthening – understanding whose you are and having the boldness to stand. Actually… I believe it is all of these and more! What has the Lord been teaching and working through you in the midst of craziness? 

As a final verse of encouragement, I love what Isaiah 45:18 says: 

“For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place.

He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos.

“I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other.”’

There is no one like our God, and our God has everything in place! I chose the NLT version because it brings out the Hebrew word’s best definition for ‘chaos.’ Other translations state it as NIV, ESV-empty; NASB – a waste place; NKJV – vain; ISV – chaos; and ERV – waste. As mentioned, we are not meant to settle for chaos, lie dormant in waste, or remain ‘empty’ – void of the promises the Lord has for each of us. Instead, He is bringing order in our lives, patterning after the plans God had for us since the beginning of time! We do not give in to the empty chaos but intercede for our nation, our loved ones, and pray over our minds to be brought to His likeness, His intentions, under His dominion. All for His glory! 

May the Lord give you what you need this week to push back the forces of darkness, stirring up disorder and confusion around you. I pray that you will have the Father’s peace ruling your hearts, the Holy Spirit’s discernment to speak and live in righteousness, and clarity of mind to walk in obedience to Christ’s calling. 

 Have a blessed week! 

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[i] https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionary-of-bible-themes/4045-chaos